Challenge

The Waldenses were a group of European Christians who lived during days of desperate persecution. There have been few others in history who have loved and revered the Scriptures as much as these faithful men and women. At a time when the Roman church made it illegal to own a copy of the Bible in one’s own language many of the Waldenses had a portion or the entirety of God’s word.

many of the Waldenses would memorize large portions of Scripture so that they would always have the Word of God in their possession. Below is a quote that shows the challenge that the Waldenses would give to a new convert to the faith.

"But their crowing offense was their love and reverence for Scripture, and their burning zeal in making converts. The inquisitor of Passau informs us that they had translations of the whole Bible in the vulgar tongue, which the Church vainly sought to suppress, and which they studied with incredible assiduity. He knew a peasant who could recite the book of Job word for word; many of them had the whole of the New Testament by heart, and, simple as they were, were dangerous disputants. . . a disciple of ten day's standing would seek out another whom he could instruct, and when the dull and untrained brain would fain abandon the task in despair they would speak words of encouragement: 'Learn a single word [verse] a day, in a year you will know three hundred, and thus you will gain in the end.'"

The Challenge was to memorize a verse a day. Many today are not ready for this challenge. For them we have a smaller challenge. But imagine what it would, one year from now, to have over 300 verses hidden in your mind. How might that strengthen your, faith, prayer life, and witness? This may be something have never imagined. Having 300 verses in your heart. But we are bringing back a centuries old challenge. Are you ready for the Waldensian Challenge? Sign up for the challenge.

If a verse a day seems too overwhelming then you could think of taking our second challenge. Are you willing to commit to memorizing two verses per week for the next year? In one year you will have over 100 verses stored up in your mind and heart. You can also sign up to commit to the challenge.